Embalming composition



Patented Feb. 10, 1942 EMBALMING COMPOSITION Hilton Ira Jones, Wilmette, Ill.

No Drawing.

Application December 23, 1940,

Serial No. 371,407

Claims.

The present invention relates to the embalming art, and more particularly to improved embalming compositions.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide improved embalming compositions, e. g. fluids for use in the preservation of dead bodies.

Other objects of the present invention will be apparent as the description hereinafter proceeds.

It has been known for some time that in order to produce permanent preservation it is necessary to stop the action of the autolytic or type A enzymes as well as to stop the formation of the type B enzymes generated by microorganisms or germs of decomposition. The type A enzymes decompose animal tissues liberating lactic acid (sarcolactic acid) and their action is ordinarily stopped by coagulation of the enzymes, a process known in the art as fixation. The type B enzymes digest or liquefy tissues especially the proteins and their formation is ordinarily stopped by a process known in the art as sterilization.

A few metals, such as arsenic and lead, are capable of stopping the action of both types of enzymes but their use in the embalming art, due to their poisonous character, is prohibited by law in some states. As a result the art has found it generally necessary in commercial practice to employ separate means for producing fixation and sterilization.

The embalming compositions available heretofore containing fixation compositions and sterilization compositions have not proven entirely satisfactory. It has been found in practice, for example, that the fixation chemicals did not function at their highest eificiency in the presence of the sterilization chemicals or that the sterilization chemicals did not function at their highest efficiency in the presence of the fixation chemicals. The art has long desired improved embalming compositions in which the fixation and sterilization compositions actively cooperate to produce preservation of the type desired.

I have discovered after prolonged research (in which many combinations of complex chemicals were investigated) embalming compositions of the type desired. These compositions are characterized by the presence of a small amount of a fixation agent such as formaldehyde and a small amount of an alkylated-benzyl ammonium halide salt such as represented by the following formula.

cumulz in which Z represents a halogen atom such as chlorine, A represents a lower alkyl group such as methyl, ethyl, etc. and where CIHy represents a higher alkyl group in which a: is a whole number from 8 to 18 and in which y is a whole number from 17 to 37.

The embalming compositions of the present invention preferably contain a small amount of formaldehyde as the fixation agent as formaldehyde has been found to cooperate particularly well with the alkylated benzylammonium salts to produce substantially permanent preservation. Other agents, such as magnesium silicofluoride, aluminum chloride and the rare earths, may also be advantageously used in certain compositions if desired.

One of the preferred alkylated-benzyl-ammonium salt compositions for use in the present invention is a mixture of the higher alkylated 1,3 dimethyl benzylammonium chlorides. The higher alkyl groups of such compositions may be derived from cocoanut oil and fall within the definition of the C1H group in the above formula. These compositions, i. e. alkylated benzyl ammonium salts, may be prepared in accordance with known chemical practices or may be purchased on the open market. They possess, in addition to their desired chemical properties, the right type of physical properties for use in highly penetrating embalming fluids.

The compositions of the present invention ordinarily containing about 20 to 22 per cent formaldehyde gas and 0.4 to 1 per cent alkylated benzylammonium salts have definitely proven in actual practice to yield excellent preservation of the type desired. The compositions have excellent capillary penetration, are rapid in action, prevent decomposition by either the type A or type B enzymes, and have been found to be particularly active in the acid conditions present in bodies after death. The exact reason why the constituents cooperate to produce fixation and sterilization so rapidly after administration is not understood although investigations indicate that dead bodies liberate complex compositions which catalyze the composition into immediate action.'

However, as indicated above, investigations show that the alkylated benzylammonium salts of the present invention are active sterilizing agents and as such stop B enzyme decomposition, that the alkylated benzylammonium salts also actively cooperate with fixation agents to stop A enzyme decomposition, and that the alkylated benzylammonium salts in addition assist embalming penetration which, with the above properties, combine to produce preservation of the type desired.

An illustrative example of an embalming fluid within the scope of the present invention is as follows:

Per cent Alkylated benzylammonium salt 0.4- 1.0 Formaldehyde 20 --22 If the alkylated salt is the preferred 1,3-dimethyl benzylammonium chloride mentioned above, the higher alkyl group may be attached to either of the other available positions. Ordinarily, as stated above, a mixture of higher alkylated 1,3- dimethyl benzylammonium chlorides is preferred.

It will be understood that the present invention is not limited by theoretical explanation as to why the compositions of the present invention are characterized by unique effects after administration. It will also be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above illustrative examples. All modifications coming within the scope of the present invention are intended to be covered by the following claims.

I claim:

1. Embalming compositions characterized by the presence of a small amount of alkylated benzylarnmonium salt.

2. Embalming compositions characterized by the presence of a small amount of a chemical compound represented by the following formula:

(Lil,

CHzNIhCl in which B represents high alkyl groups corresponding to the alkyl groups of cocoanut oil.

4. Embalmingcompositions containing as essential ingredients a small amount of formaldehyde and a small amount of a 1,3-dimethyl benzylammonium chloride salt in which the phenyl ring of the benzyl group is substituted with a higher alkyl group.

5. A highly eflicient embalming composition of the type described containing as essential ingredients a formaldehyde fixation agent and an alkylated benzylammonium salt sterilization agent, said fixation and sterilization agents preventing decomposition by autolytie enzymes and by micro-organisms and cooperating to produce preservation of the type desired.

HILTON IRA JONES. 

